Indian Defense
Boost To IAF’s Air Defence With New Missile System For Aerial Threats
The new MRSAM system comes to 2204 Squadron called the Invincibles
The Indian Air Force received its first Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) system on Thursday. The missile system can destroy aircraft from a distance of 110 kilometres and is capable of launching 24 missiles on 16 targets simultaneously.
The system has been jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with Israel Aerospace Industries in line with ‘Make in India’ mantra, aimed at self-reliance in defence production.
The induction comes at a time when the Indian forces are looking to ramp up their capabilities against unconventional warfare that includes the use of drones. This is the first of the 18 firing units that will be handed over to the Indian Air Force.
Capabilities of MRSAM
Fitted with Israel’s Barak missile, the system is supersonic, which means it can travel at a lightning pace exceeding the speed of sound. It is designed to intercept targets like aircraft, missiles and other munitions.
The system can be transported in a short time, making it difficult for the adversary to mark its presence on the ground.
The missile is powered by an indigenously developed rocket motor and control system for achieving high manoeuvrability during the terminal phase.
The missile system also has a short response time against traditional and advanced threats that are capable of covering a large area.
The induction ceremony took place in Jaisalmer where Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO G Satheesh Reddy handed over the system to Chief of Air Staff RKS Bhadauria in the presence of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday.
“I have full faith that in time to come, not only our defence sector will be self-reliant, but it will be a hub for defence manufacturing across the world. The road to reach there goes through programmes like this. With the handing over of MRSAM system to IAF, we have taken a giant leap towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as envisioned by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will prove to be a game changer in the air-defence system,” Rajnath Singh said.
During the event, DRDO and IAI officials demonstrated the capabilities of MRSAM system, as part of On-Site Acceptance Test (OSAT).
Earlier, the Indian Navy had received another version of the MRSAM and now the Indian Army’s requirements are also likely to be expedited.
“The project was delayed, but all issues could be resolved. The next project of MRSAM for the army will also speed up,” DRDO chairman Dr G Sateesh Reddy said.
On the occasion, Rajnath Singh remembered former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, terming him a “visionary who paved the way for self-reliance in defence sector, especially in the missile development program.
“Around 30 years ago, Dr Kalam initiated the Integrated Missile Development Program at a time when scientists were facing various restrictions in the field of technology. Despite all this, the success of the programme not only ensured self-reliance in missile development, but also thwarted possibility of any cross-border threat,” the defence minister added.
Boaz Levy, the president of Israel Aerospace Industries said this was a result of great teamwork between India and Israel.
The new system comes to 2204 squadron called the Invincibles, which is based in Jaisalmer. It was resurrected in 2015 to come up in a new avatar with MRSAM.
The squadron was originally raised in Bhatinda on October 3, 1975, when it was equipped with Surface to Air Missile ‘Pechora’. It was relocated to Pune in 1993 before getting resurrected in 2015.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
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